The Top Line Angela Hwang on her pivot from Big Pharma to biotech
May 9, 2025
Angela Hwang shares her journey from a 30-year tenure at Pfizer to leading a biotech startup, driven by a commitment to innovation. Her unique upbringing in apartheid-era South Africa shapes her perspective on diversity and talent development. She discusses the excitement and challenges of her new role, highlighting the innovative potential of drug design through antibody agonists. Hwang emphasizes the importance of aligning personal values with career choices and the collective responsibility to ensure inclusivity in the healthcare sector.
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Big Pharma and Biotech Similarities
- Leading teams and prioritizing resources are critical in both big pharma and startups despite scale differences.
- Strategic goals and clear missions drive success regardless of company size.
Career Pivot to Biotech Startup
- Angela Hwang transitioned from big pharma commercialization to biotech startup after years of reflection and exploration.
- Her decision was motivated by excitement for novel technology and impact, not company size or status.
Formative Upbringing Lessons
- Angela's upbringing in apartheid-era South Africa taught her resilience and creativity to overcome limitations.
- She values reframing challenges and problem-solving as crucial life lessons from that experience.